Captain Mukhtiar Singh (25 October 1943 – 19 November 2019), also known as Mukhiya, was an Indian wrestler. He was born in hindu jat family.He was the first one to grab two gold medals for India in Commonwealth Games[2] and also he won a bronze medal in the 1970 Asian Games. He served Indian Army for 26 years and retired as Hon. Captain in 1988. Indian Army honored him with Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his outstanding services.[3] He was awarded Arjun Award, the second-highest sporting honour of India, in 1967.[4]
 Singh receiving Arjun Award from President Dr. Zakhir Hussain, 1967 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname | Mukhiya Pahalwan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Indian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 25 October 1943 Baltikari, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 19 November 2019 (aged 76) 105 Saket Puri Maholi Road Mathura, India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Surja Devi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | Brij Mohan Singh(NIS Coach) Geeta Singh Ravindra Chaudhary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance | India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | Indian Army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1963–1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Honorary Captain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Biography
Mukhtiar Singh was born on 25 October 1943 in village Baltikari, Raya, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.[5] He was popularly known as Mukhiya Pahalwan.[6] His father Ninua Singh was a farmer while his mother Parmali Devi was a housewife. Singh has five brothers. At the age of 12 he had a good hold on his sport and was known by people of nearby districts. After gaining some potential he started practicing under the guidance of his uncle Amichand Pahalwan. He was enrolled in 2nd Jat Regiment, Indian Army in 1963.[7] Later he participated in Services wrestling in the lightweight class and became the champion of Eastern Command on his very first appearance.[8] But he was firstly recognized in the Indian Army when he fought against international wrestler of Indian Army Pahalwan Uday Chand during services tournament. He was awarded with gold medal in the lightweight in the Services championship in 1965.[9] He stood first in 1966 in his weight class. He was accordingly selected to represent India in the lightweight in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Kingston, Jamaica in 1966.[10] He won a gold medal defeating all wrestlers in his class there, including the famous Pakistani wrestler M. Hussain and Greig of New Zealand. He was prevented by a knee injury from taking part in the Vth Asian games at Bangkok in 1966.[11]
Achievements and participation
- Olympic games[12]
- 1968: Mexico Olympic
- 1972: Munich Olympic
- World Wrestling Championship
- 1967: Delhi [India]
- 1970: Edmonton [Canada]
- Asian Games[13]
- 1970: Bankok, Thailand [Bronze Medal]
- 1974: Theran, Iran
- Commonwealth games[14]
- 1966: Kingston, Jamaica [Gold Medal]
- 1970: Edinburgh, Scotland [Gold Medal]
- Hind Kesari
- 1964: Karnal, Haryana
- Other international tournaments
- 1964: Indo-Iran Wrestling Championship, Tehran [Gold Medal]
- 1964: Indo-Newzealand Wrestling Championship, Newzealand [Gold Medal]
- 1965: Indo-Iran Wrestling Championship, New Delhi [Gold Medal]
- 1965: Indo-American Wrestling Championship, Mexico [Gold Medal]
- 1966: Indo-England Wrestling Championship, England [Gold Medal]
- 1967: Jasan Meet Wrestling Championship, Kabul Afghanistan [Gold Medal]
- 1972: Indo-Soviet Wrestling Championship, Moscow Russia [Gold Medal]
- 1972: Indo-Russian Wrestling Meet, New Delhi [Gold Medal]
- 1976: Indo-Soviet Wrestling Meet, New Delhi [Gold Medal]
- 1976: Indo-Pak Wrestling Meet, New Delhi [Gold Medal]
Awards
- 1967― Arjun Award
- 1992― Mewar Award
- 1986― Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
- 2018― Hon. Sportsperson Award (By C.M Yogi Adityanath)
- 1996― N.I.S (National Inst. Of Sports, Patiala Punjab)
Judge, coach and referee
- 1991: World Wrestling Championship, Varna, Bulgaria
- 1996: Asian Wrestling Championship, New Delhi
- 1997: World Cadet Wrestling Championship, New Delhi
- 1998: Takhati Cup Wrestling Championship, Iran
Post life
Mukhtiar Singh was struck with Alzheimer's disease and he died on 19 November 2019.
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The Daring Grappler
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Mukhtiar Singh (left) in Kabul, Afghanistan
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Awards
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Captain Mukhtiar Singh Gymnasium in Indian Army Jat Regiment Centre, Barielly
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Capt. Mukhtiar Singh with his wife Surja Devi
References
- ^ "Mukhtiar Singh at Olympics". The Official Website of Olympic Games.
- ^ Sarangi, Y. B. "CWG Wrestling: A reputation to live up to". Sportstar.
- ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Mukhtiar Singh Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ "Arjun Award Awarded to Mukhtiar Singh". The Official Website of Ministry Of Youth Affairs And Sports Of India.
- ^ "Biographical information of Muktiar Singh". The Official Website of Olympic Games.
- ^ Asit Jolly (30 November 1999). "Haryana's Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt bring glory for the state at Olympics 2012". India Today.
- ^ https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=vcRGnsVKziZrPGjoTL2exg==&ParentID=GXSWxisc54XbjGzP4107XmhOibJw/DDPJquzLOANLK0=
- ^ "Wrestling Freestyle 74kg - Men Edinburgh 1970 | Commonwealth Games Federation".
- ^ "Welterweight, Freestyle (≤74 kilograms), Men". The Official Website of Olympic Games.
- ^ "Commonwealth participation Of Mukhtiar Singh". The Official Website of Commonwealth Games India.
- ^ "Wrestling Freestyle 68kg - Men Kingston 1966 | Commonwealth Games Federation".
- ^ "Wrestling at the 1968 Mexico Summer Olympic Games". The Official Website of Olympic Games. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010.
- ^ "Wrestling at the 1970 Asian Games". The Official Website of Olympic Games.
- ^ "Commonwealth participation Of Mukhtiar Singh". The Official Website of Commonwealth Games.
- "Welterweight, Freestyle (≤78 kilograms), Men". The Official Website of Olympic Games.
External links
- Mukhtiar Singh at the International Wrestling Database
- Mukhtiar Singh at Olympedia
- Mukhtiar Singh at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)